Wasps crowned unbeaten Natbell League champions yet again

This was the final game of the season for Wasps and Bluebirds so both wanted to finish on a high, but unfortunately for Bluebirds they found themselves in the unenviable position of only being able to field a bare seven whilst the opposition had a full complement and were able to make changes.

Wasps took full advantage of their greater number and they were quickly into their scoring stride with shooters Nicola Field and Helen Chester playing with confidence, backing each other up to snap up any rebounds from goal attempts.

This made hard work for the two Bluebirds defenders who worked tirelessly but unfortunately to no avail. Just before the end of the first quarter Bluebirds scored their first goal by stand-in goal attack, Lorraine Coombes, to much ‘good natured’ celebration by both teams – the first quarter ending with Wasps 23-1 to the good.

The second quarter saw changes for Bluebirds with their other ‘stand-in’ goal shooter, Traci Markell moving back to her normal spot of goal keeper and moving Gillian Burgess to the shooting area. Unfortunately for Bluebirds this didn’t change the flow of the game and Wasps continued to dominate stealing possession on a number of occasions to add further goals on a regular basis. Bluebirds once again scored their single goal towards the end of the second quarter and an even bigger celebration erupted both on and off court by fellow supporters! At half-time Wasps held a 48-2 lead.

In the third quarter Wasps rang the changes and regular defender Joe Leitch was pushed further forward to see what all the attacking is about!

Helen Chester stepped off court for the first time this season to giggle at her teammates playing in positions they were unaccustomed to!

Wasps centre, Cat Mills, move back to play goal defence with Louise Passmore stepping off and giving verbal support to her team from the sidelines. Emily Passmore-Steer came on to the centre position to give a master class. Her presence saw the tempo raised significantly!

With all the changes Bluebirds took advantage and scored a number of goals. The final quarter saw more wasps’ switches, but the flow of goals continued with Joe Leitch continuing t revel I her rare shift as goal attack!

The final whistle blew to leave Wasps once again the champions – this is the fourth season running they have lifted the top honour and once again they have been unbeaten throughout the campaign!

The Player of the Match award for Wasps went to centre Cat Mills whilst Lorraine Coombes at goal attack took the honour for Bluebirds.

As the Lacemen’s Colts licked their wounds from their recent defeat by a strong Barum outfit, they travelled to Okehampton for a must-win game and produced the goods in a 25-15 result, writes Paz Parratt